Hi, thanks for giving the opportunity to ask questions. I'm kinda confused. A friend of mine told me that you got to be baptized to get saved. She said that even Jesus said so in Mark 16. Is that true? Thanks!
Hi Allison, thanks for your question - one that is oftentimes asked, and where a lot of confusion exists, I'm afraid.
If you ask the question: "Does baptism save?", many will be inclined to quickly answer: "No, of course not! Only repentance and faith save!" And again, someone might answer: "Well, of course, baptism saves. That's what scripture says!" So, how can we explain the vast difference between the two answers?
Well, the explanation is that both answers have a different understanding of "save/salvation"; they think of different things. The first answer equates it with eternal salvation, meaning one goes to heaven; the second answer doesn't share the same understanding, but rather thinks of a kind of salvation that involves time and this earth. To put it into a nutshell: Salvation does not always mean the same thing in scripture. We can say that we are saved, that is the salvation of our soul (1 Pet 1:9). We could also say that we are being saved (through difficult situations; Heb 7:25; 1 Pet 418; 2 Cor 1:10). And finally we could also say: We will be saved (future, our bodily salvation, when the Lord comes to receive us unto himself; Phil 3:20.21).
When we think of baptism, it is absolutely scriptural to say that baptism saves! And your friend is absolutely correct: Mark 16:16 states that "He that believes and is baptised shall be saved". But then it continues: "and he that disbelieves shall be condemned." - no mention of baptism anymore. Also, 1 Peter 3:21 says: "were saved through water: which figure also now saves you, [even] baptism." And in Acts 2 Peter says: "Repent, and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ ... Be saved from this perverse generation." (vv. 38.40). How then does baptism save: If saves in that it changes our position here on earth - and only in that sense! Someone who gets baptised becomes a Christian in the fullest sense. Whatever he was before, he is now a Christian, and baptism gives testimony to that. He now belongs (at least outwardly) to the sphere on earth where God is known, His will done, and His blessings announced and enjoyed. He is no longer part of that part of this world that is under the judgment of God. In that way, and only in that way, does baptism save.
As long as we keep baptism connected with time and earth, we are on the right track. When we start connecting baptism with heaven and eternity, however, we leave the ground of scripture. Someone who believes in the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour who died for his sins on the cross and does not get baptised is still saved in regard to heaven. But concerning his position in regard to this world, he is not saved unless baptised. Hope that helps!
